Queen's School of Religion: A Historical Overview
Queen's School of Religion, formerly Queen's Theological College, stands as a significant institution in the landscape of religious studies in Canada. Affiliated with Queen's University at Kingston, the school is located on the Queen's University campus, and its graduates receive their degrees from Queen's University. Its history is intertwined with the evolution of Queen's University and the broader religious landscape of Canada.
Origins and Founding
The seeds of Queen's School of Religion were sown in 1841 when the Presbyterian Church in Canada secured a Royal Charter from Queen Victoria. This charter paved the way for the establishment of Queen's College, which opened its doors in 1842 with an initial cohort of 11 male students. The motto of the institution, "Sapientia et Doctrina Stabilitas" ("Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times"), reflected its commitment to providing a solid foundation of knowledge and wisdom.
Separation and Formation of Queen's Theological College
A pivotal moment in the school's history arrived in 1911 when the Faculty of Theology was separated from Queen's College. This separation occurred as Queen's College transitioned into a secular institution, renamed Queen's University at Kingston, to become eligible for government education funding.
In the wake of this separation, Queen's Theological College was formally established through an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1912. It was designated as a training institution of the Presbyterian Church of Canada.
Integration into the United Church of Canada
Queen's Theological College played a role in the unification of several denominations in Canada. In 1925, the Presbyterian, Congregational, and Methodist Churches in Canada united to form the United Church of Canada. Queen's Theological College joined this union, becoming one of the institutions responsible for theological training within the newly formed denomination.
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Theological Hall: A Landmark Building
The physical home of Queen's School of Religion is Theological Hall, a building steeped in history and architectural significance. Constructed in 1879, Theological Hall was designed by Gordon & Helliwell. The construction was funded by donations from the citizens of Kingston. The cornerstone of Theological Hall was laid in 1879 by the Marquis of Lorne, Governor-General of Canada, and his wife, Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. The building was completed in October 1880.
Theological Hall is the third-oldest building on the Queen's University campus. The limestone structure was built in Norman Romanesque style, featuring its trademark double-oak front doorway and central tower flying the Canadian flag.
Originally built to house the Faculty of Arts and Science (and to this day is often referred to as the Old Arts and Science Building), Theological Hall was the university's main building throughout the late 19th century.
The building features an ornate mediaeval-style Convocation Hall that served the university for convocation ceremonies until Grant Hall was built (between 1902 and 1905), and at one time a circular library at the west end of the building. The interior of Convocation Hall is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic with an open, cathedral-like space featuring king-post hammer beam truss enlivened with embellished pendants and articulated bossed junctions, and a combination of red brick and buff brick incorporated into a decorative pattern.
Classroom and office space in Theological Hall was provided for the newly created Queen's Theological College under the provisions of an Act of Parliament respecting Queen's College at Kingston passed on April 1, 1912.
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Evolution into Queen's School of Religion
Over time, Queen's Theological College has evolved into Queen's School of Religion, reflecting a broader scope of religious studies beyond traditional theological training. Today, the school continues to be affiliated with Queen's University at Kingston, offering a range of academic programs in religious studies.
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